PPA Membership Now Over 600 000

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A million members the target for online poker pressure group

With a claimed 500 percent increase in membership since the beginning of 2007, the Poker Players' Alliance pressure group for the legalisation of online poker and gambling in the United States appears to be reaching the sort of critical mass that motivates politicians to sit up and take notice.

And the organisation isn't stopping there, according to chairman and former US senator Alfonse D'Amato - the present target is a million voices for the legalisation of one of America's great traditional pastimes.

D'Amato, writing in a six monthly report to members of the Alliance, says that the body has accomplished much in that time.

"We have accomplished so much in so little time," D'Amato writes in the communication. "Our membership has grown more than 500 percent since the first of the year to over 600 000 members - thanks in no small part to you telling your fellow poker enthusiasts to join our cause."

That drive is helping propel the organisation well on its way to the one million member target it has set for itself, the chairman wrote, urging members to continue to spread the word and encourage others to join the organisation.

D'Amato goes on to discuss Congressman Barney Frank's H.R. 2046, the 'Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act,' Congressman Robert Wexler's H.R. 2610, the 'Skill Games Protection Act,'  and Representative Shelley Berkely's H.R. 2410 which calls for a study of Internet gambling. The Frank and Wexler legislation seeks to legalise online poker in the United States by either carving out an exemption for online poker in existing legislation, or introducing a licensing, regulation and taxation regime to replace misguided efforts to ban the pastime.

"In all, we [the PPA] have a lot of momentum, but we still need your help," D'Amato wrote.

The PPA scored a big hit last week when D'Amato was invited to make the "Shuffle Up and Deal Call" at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.  Backed by Congressman Wexler, the PPA chairman made the most of the opportunity, circulating among players and officials and putting the PPA in the spotlight.  Press reports indicate that his appeal for support was greeted by enthusiastic applause from the thousands of players and spectators present.

"They responded in droves, proving that poker enthusiasts are dedicated activists," D'Amato confirmed.

The PPA chairman used the report to members to remind them that lobbying in Washington DC and creating mainstream awareness of the poker issue is both money and effort intensive, and appealed for new members and donations.

"We know you agree that poker is not a crime, but we need your help to prevent the coming of the day when the law says it is," D'Amato said.